Psalms 5:7-12 Enter Your House

Psalms 5:7-12 Enter Your House

Psalms 5:7-12 NLTse Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house; I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe. (8) Lead me in the right path, OLORD, or my enemies will conquer me. Make your way plain for me to follow. (9) My enemies cannot speak a truthful word. Their deepest desire is to destroy others. Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with flattery. (10) O God, declare them guilty. Let them be caught in their own traps. Drive them away because of their many sins, for they have rebelled against you. (11) But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy. (12) For you bless the godly, O LORD; you surround them with your shield of love.

It’s important to remember the proper sequence to follow when studying within the context of a verse and chapter. It takes much more than following a set of rules. The Pharisees learned to follow rules, which caused them to loose their connection with God. Studying the Bible within the rules of context God placed in His Word goes beyond the printed word. The connection with God you are searching for lies within daily, hourly, minute by minute communication with Him.

The Bible has to studied slowly. One lesson has to sink in before your ready for the next. It took Jesus over three years to teach His disciples the simple concepts we are covering here. One of the main lessons Jesus taught was how to pray and rely on God’s Spirit to reveal the answers. I have to admit, I would have missed some important points if I didn’t put this study away and pray. Here’s the process I follow in my studies:

Collect the texts to study.

Highlight words that are the same, similar, or related.

Put the study aside and pray.

Look at the texts and identify the key thought.

Use key words that are highlighted to search for related texts.

Compare the main thoughts in the introductions and summations in the two chapters.

Highlight words that are the same, similar, or related in the chapters introductions and summations.

Compare the key words in the chapters introductions and summations.

Put the study aside and pray.

Begin writing by paying attention to the key words.

Expand writing to include the key thoughts.

Put the study aside and pray.

Write the conclusions.

Pray and review

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What is the key thought in Psalms 5:7-12? What does it mean to; enter into and, “worship at your Temple with deepest awe?” Set yourself in God’s Sanctuary, sitting in front of His throne. What would God tell you about the privilege and responsibility of sitting at His throne? Of course God will always lead you down the right path – if you listen and choose to follow Him. But first we have to admit, we usually make the wrong choices. Ask God to; “Make your way plain for me to follow.” Do you know God’s way, or is it a comfortable blend between God’s way and what you feel is right? Look at how David describes his enemies. Don’t forget, they are also God’s enemies – but that never stopped God from reaching out to them. How many times did Jesus sent the religious leaders back to scripture in the hope – one day they could tell the truth from a lie? How does God surround you with love, peace, and joy? Do you deserve it when He does? Don’t your enemies deserve the same second chance you received? Who is an enemy? What makes an enemy? How does Jesus reach out to them? Finding the right parallel texts will give us the answers.

John 7:14-18 NLTse Then, midway through the festival, Jesus went up to the Temple and began to teach. (15) The people were surprised when they heard him. “How does he know so much when he hasn’t been trained?” they asked. (16) So Jesus told them, “My message is not my own; it comes from Godwho sent me. (17) Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own. (18) Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speakstruth, not lies.

In this example we see how the simple word, speak connects Psalms 5 to John 7. The first contrast we see is how the enemies in Psalm 5 could not speak the truth. In John 7, “a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speakstruth, not lies.” It stands to reason, Psalm 5 introduces the aspect of an enemy and John 7 tells us what Jesus does best, provides the simple, clear word to give both His enemies and followers a choice. Keep in mind, Jesus’ followers didn’t always make the right choice.

We see the same contrasts in John 7:14-18, some people believed Jesus and others didn’t. What did Jesus do? He explained one simple concept. So Jesustold them, “My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me. Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from Godor is merely my own.” This has a direct bearing on learning to study by following the general rules of context. When we follow and compare the context of verses and chapters, we are following God’s Word, the message is from Him. When we allow our minds to take over and introduce concepts we’re familiar with … Jesus sums up that process at the end of these texts. ” Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves.” There is a world of difference between a person taking time to study and listen to God’s Word and a person using God’s Word to support their own ideas, concepts, and doctrines. David saw this concept. He illustrates his desire to understand it in his opening prayer.

Psalms 5:1-6 NLTse O LORD, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning. (2) Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you. (3) Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. (4) O God, you take no pleasure inwickedness; you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked. (5) Therefore, the proud may not stand in your presence, for you hate all who do evil. (6) You will destroy those who tell lies. The LORD detests murderers and deceivers.

David didn’t want to hear any voice but God’s. He didn’t even want his own thoughts to interfere. David also understood the concept of listening and waiting for a reply. “Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.” David knew how to talk to God, as well as listen. He prayed in the morning before the world was able to distract him. Jesus followed the same process. It’s a process you need to learn and adapt to before your able to grasp the lessons God teaches in His Word. Remember, “the proud may not stand in your presence.” If your not ready, willing, and able to listen, God is not going to waste His time and effort on you. Unfortunately this is how most people are taught to preach. Keep repeating the same thing over and over again until people are convinced your right and they are wrong. Where do people get this concept from? The answer is obvious — other people who make it a habit of pulling out a text here and another there to mix up their own concoction of what they consider truth. Two or three verses are enough for them, as long as it agrees with their original idea. We see this example when we compare the introduction of John 7.

John 7:1-8 NLTse After this, Jesus traveled around Galilee. He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death. (2) But soon it was time for the Jewish Festival of Shelters, (3) and Jesus‘ brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles! (4) You can’t become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!” (5) For even his brothers didn’tbelieve in him. (6) Jesus replied, “Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime. (7) The world can’t hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil. (8) You go on. I’m not going to this festival, because my time has not yet come.”

Jesus was the youngest son. By societies standards, He should be taking advise and orders from his older brothers. A lot like society today where we are told to take orders and follow suggestions from people holding a higher degree of education. Is that true? Remember in the texts we were led to, the people asked, “How does he know so much when he hasn’t been trained?” Jesus didn’t have a degree from the world to teach religion. So why do we insist on going back to the old ways Jesus came to abolish? The people with the higher education; “the Jewish leaders were plotting his death.” Is this another spiritual lesson? How did Jesus answer His brothers? “You go on. I’m not going to this festival, because my time has not yet come.” Jesus introduced one of the hardest concepts for us to grasp – God’s timing. This is one of the most difficult lessons for us to understand. At this point, the only detail we’ve been given to understand it is from David. “Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.” There is nothing we can do except wait for God to tell us when the time is right. This applies to all aspects of Bible Study whether it is a simple study, opening up and reading a chapter, word studies to understand symbols, and of course prophecy. People have to realize they cannot force an answer from God, no matter how much they think they know. Until God decides it’s time to reveal a prophecy, it is locked away.

One of the details repeated in the study texts, introduction, and summation for John 7 is the word festival. What is the Festival of Shelters? It first appears in Leviticus 23. “For seven days you must live outside in little shelters. All native-born Israelites must live in shelters. This will remind each new generation of Israelites that I made their ancestors live in shelters when I rescued them from the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.” (Leviticus 23:42-43 NLTse). It’s a simple reminder. We notice this study centers on reminders. Remember how to study. Remember to listen to God’s voice. Remember the mistakes other people made. We also have to remember the bigger picture. This world is only temporary, which may be the most important illustration of all. The answers we get from this world are only temporary. When we look at the summation John wrote for this chapter, we see a number of other contrasts.

John 7:37-53 NLTse On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! (38) Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.'” (39) (When he said “livingwater,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.) (40) When the crowds heard him say this, some of them declared, “Surely this man is the Prophet we’ve been expecting.” (41) Others said, “He is the Messiah.” Still others said, “But he can’t be! Will the Messiah come from Galilee? (42) For the Scriptures clearly state that the Messiah will be born of the royal line of David, in Bethlehem, the village where King David was born.” (43) So the crowd was divided about him. (44) Some even wanted him arrested, but no one laid a hand on him. (45) When the Temple guards returned without having arrested Jesus, the leading priests and Pharisees demanded, “Why didn’t you bring him in?” (46) “We have never heard anyone speak like this!” the guards responded. (47) “Have you been led astray, too?” the Pharisees mocked. (48) “Is there a single one of us rulers or Pharisees who believes in him? (49) This foolish crowd follows him, but they are ignorant of the law. God’s curse is on them!” (50) Then Nicodemus, the leader who had met with Jesus earlier, spoke up. (51) “Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?” he asked. (52) They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Search the Scriptures and see for yourself–no prophet ever comes from Galilee!” (53) Then the meeting broke up, and everybody went home.

Looking back at the introduction to John 7, why wasn’t it time for Jesus to go to the festival when he answered His brothers, but He sent them to Jerusalem? Was there a spiritual lesson behind the answer? Of course there was. There were a number of spiritual lessons. The answer opened up the lesson on God’s timing. It showed how Jesus waited to hear God’s voice. God provided the protection Jesus needed. Guards were sent to arrest Jesus, but God’s Spirit touched them. Instead of arresting Jesus, the guards listened to Him. God gave us an illustration to show how an enemy is turned into – at that point – someone who listens and thinks on their own. Sure they were criticized by the religious powers in charge, who asked, “Is there a single one of us rulers orPharisees who believes in him?” Of course Nicodemus had an answer for them. He believed.

Jesus introduced the concept of living water. “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.” John also provided the spiritual meaning of living water. (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.) If we pay careful attention, we can see another detailed explained when we compare similar thoughts. Remember the answer Jesus gave to His brothers? “Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime.” His brothers were trying to talk Jesus into performing a bunch of miracles so people would believe Him. Well how are they supposed to believe? What are they supposed to believe? Remember, almost everyone still believed and looked for a Messiah who was going to lead God’s army to victory against the oppressive Roman government. They had no idea what God’s plan of salvation was. John fills in that little reminder for us. One we have to always keep in mind. How can we lead people to God, expect them to keep the law, respect God’s rules of prophecy, Bible Study, and all the other aspects of modern religion if they don’t know God’s plan of salvation? Oh they may know a little bit of the plan. They might be able see, Jesus died for their sins. But do they know the price of redemption? Do they know what sanctification is, or the real meaning of an atonement? It’s time we stop fooling ourselves into thinking we have all the answers – but know nothing about God’s timing – or how to listen for God’s answer to prayer like David told us to. Nicodemus thought he knew all the answers, but couldn’t understand a few simple concepts Jesus shared with him. Did the guards know everything after they listened to Jesus? If they did, how come they couldn’t share anything they learned from Jesus with the religious leaders? Look at the example Jesus’ brother set. “For even his brothers didn’t believe in him.” Simple concepts are just that – simple concepts for the moment. We have to stop fooling ourselves we’ve reached a level equal to or greater than Jesus – or God. They are having a tough time reaching people. What makes us think we can find one answer to lead the world to God? It’s a personal experience with Jesus people need to search for. If its one message we need to get across, it’s showing people how to begin a personal relationship with Jesus and leave the rest in God’s hands.

How do the things we’ve learned from John 7 relate to Psalm 5? We’ve seen how Jesus answered questions according to people’s understanding at the time. He pointed them to scripture and let God’s Spirit handle the educational process. That’s our job. You have to see where people are on their spiritual walk and share things they can understand. Where was David on his walk with God when he wrote his prayer? He saw he had enemies. He knew his enemies thrived on lies, just like the religious leaders did. They insinuated no one with any type of education believed Jesus was the Messiah. They quoted scripture – out of context – to prove their point. David didn’t know how to reach his enemies, but he knew how to pray and wait on God’s answer. It’s not for us to determine what people know, or what they need at the time. That’s the role of the Holy Spirit. When we try to take away the role of the Holy Spirit, we are denying His power and more often than not, restricting His ability to reach people when we try to take the glory away from Him and place it on ourselves.